Bhagavad Gita 17.4 — Whom We Worship Reveals Our Inner Nature
यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः ।
प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥ १७.४ ॥
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The sattvic worship the gods; the rajasic worship the yakshas and rakshasas; and the others, the tamasic people, worship the spirits of the dead and hosts of ghosts.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yajante | worship |
| sāttvikāḥ | those of sattvic nature; those in the mode of goodness |
| devān | the gods; celestial beings |
| yakṣha | yakshas; semi-divine beings associated with wealth and power |
| rakṣhāṁsi | rakshasas; powerful, demonic beings |
| rājasāḥ | those of rajasic nature; those in the mode of passion |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| pretān | spirits of the dead; ghosts |
| bhūta | spirits; elemental beings |
| gaṇān | hosts; groups |
| cha | and |
| anye | others |
| yajante | worship |
| tāmasāḥ | those of tamasic nature; those in the mode of ignorance |
| janāḥ | people |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yajante | worship | pretān | spirits of the dead; ghosts |
| sāttvikāḥ | those of sattvic nature; those in the mode of goodness | bhūta | spirits; elemental beings |
| devān | the gods; celestial beings | gaṇān | hosts; groups |
| yakṣha | yakshas; semi-divine beings associated with wealth and power | cha | and |
| rakṣhāṁsi | rakshasas; powerful, demonic beings | anye | others |
| rājasāḥ | those of rajasic nature; those in the mode of passion | yajante | worship |
| tāmasāḥ | those of tamasic nature; those in the mode of ignorance | ||
| janāḥ | people | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna now gives a practical way to recognise the three kinds of faith: look at the object of worship. People of sāttvika, rājasa, and tāmasa nature are drawn towards very different beings and ideals.
Essence
Tell Me Whom You Worship
Having explained that faith arises from one's nature, Lord Krishna provides an easily observable sign. The object a person is drawn to worship reflects the inner quality of that person.
Sāttvika people worship the devas (divine beings): Those in whom sattva predominates are drawn towards the divine, towards what is luminous, pure, and elevating. They revere higher powers and ideals that inspire virtue, knowledge, and compassion.
Rājasa people worship yakṣas and rākṣasas: Those driven by rajas are attracted to powers associated with wealth, strength, and worldly success. Their worship tends to be a means to obtain material ambitions, and the power they admire matters more to them than the goodness it represents.
Tāmasa people worship pretas and bhūta-gaṇas (spirits and ghostly hosts): Those in whom tamas dominates are drawn towards fear, darkness, and the lower, more obscure forces. Their worship is often tied to superstition and attempts to appease frightening powers.
The verse should also be understood in a wider sense. We may not worship spirits or yakṣas today, but there are modern equivalents. Anything that we give our devotion, time, and energy to is something we are effectively worshipping, and the choice still mirrors our nature.
Message for Everyday Life (What Do You Actually Worship?)
Notice where your attention and devotion go: Today a person may devote the best hours and deepest emotions to status, money, validation, or distraction. These are the true objects of worship regardless of what one claims.
Practical approach: Ask yourself honestly: Which ideal or pursuit receives my best energy? Gradually shift that devotion towards values that purify the mind, such as truthfulness, service, learning, and reverence for the divine. As the object of devotion rises, the person rises with it.
Tell Me Whom You Worship
Having explained that faith arises from one's nature, Lord Krishna provides an easily observable sign. The object a person is drawn to worship reflects the inner quality of that person.
Sāttvika people worship the devas (divine beings): Those in whom sattva predominates are drawn towards the divine, towards what is luminous, pure, and elevating. They revere higher powers and ideals that inspire virtue, knowledge, and compassion.
Rājasa people worship yakṣas and rākṣasas: Those driven by rajas are attracted to powers associated with wealth, strength, and worldly success. Their worship tends to be a means to obtain material ambitions, and the power they admire matters more to them than the goodness it represents.
Tāmasa people worship pretas and bhūta-gaṇas (spirits and ghostly hosts): Those in whom tamas dominates are drawn towards fear, darkness, and the lower, more obscure forces. Their worship is often tied to superstition and attempts to appease frightening powers.
The verse should also be understood in a wider sense. We may not worship spirits or yakṣas today, but there are modern equivalents. Anything that we give our devotion, time, and energy to is something we are effectively worshipping, and the choice still mirrors our nature.
Message for Everyday Life (What Do You Actually Worship?)
Notice where your attention and devotion go: Today a person may devote the best hours and deepest emotions to status, money, validation, or distraction. These are the true objects of worship regardless of what one claims.
Practical approach: Ask yourself honestly: Which ideal or pursuit receives my best energy? Gradually shift that devotion towards values that purify the mind, such as truthfulness, service, learning, and reverence for the divine. As the object of devotion rises, the person rises with it.
Next Topic
After describing the ordinary forms of worship in the three modes, Lord Krishna turns to a more extreme case: those who undertake terrifying austerities not supported by the scriptures. The next two verses describe who they are and what drives them.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Tell me whom you admire, and I will tell you who you are becoming.
The direction of reverence is the direction of growth.
What we bow to shapes how we stand.
Chasing power without purpose is a restless kind of worship.
Dwelling in fear invites more of it.
Choose the ideal that makes you better, not merely bigger.
Look at what you worship, and you will see your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'sāttvikāḥ' (those of pure, balanced nature) worship according to this verse?
Who are 'yakṣhas' (semi-divine beings of wealth) and 'rakṣhasas' (powerful demonic beings) and why do the 'rājasāḥ' (passionate, restless people) worship them?
What do 'pretān' (spirits of the dead) and 'bhūtagaṇān' (hosts of ghosts and spirits) represent for the 'tāmasāḥ' (dull, inert people)?
Is Krishna condemning any group of people here?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
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